For the longest time now I have made these types of images that appear as part painting, part sketch, part photograph. Really it is a bit of whimsical camera play just by making exposures while doing anything BUT holding the camera steady. The objects (usual trees) become large brushes on a bigger canvas. They are pretty hard to previsualize because I would say only about 1 in 10 end up appealing to me. I have made them in the winter, spring, and fall – each ends up taking on a character of its own. Very little was done in Photoshop except for color and contrast. One day I will perhaps put them all together in a portfolio.
They usually work best when you have hardly any sky showing. Skies get blown out and tend to create really high contrast areas, and end up being more distracting than a contributor to the overall appeal. These images tend to remind me of the Peter Gabriel song, Shaking the tree.
(Edit – apparently there is a name for this type of imagery now and an acronym – intentional camera movement or ICM – funny how when things get labels when they were just creative ideas that existed for a long time prior to having the label. )
Mark, this series is exceptional. They have a fine art quality and uniqueness that really appeals to me. Keep going with these!
Hi folks, I put together some of my other shots here;
http://www.grafphoto.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=61
Hi Mark,
I’ve always been drawn to the abstract in nature, and really love the effect in this photo. I’d love to see more! I remember a particularly fun drive through Vegas one hot summer night with my head and camera out the window–got some pretty trippy stuff. Nothing worthy of a portfolio for sure, but fun nonetheless. I’ll have to try this technique on my next outing to the mountains. Thanks for the inspiration!
Very nice Mark. I haven’t tried this technique with trees but have used it with flowers, and in particular with hanging baskets moving around in a gentle breeze.
Thanks guys for the comments. I will definitely put a portfolio on my to-do list. I think the images when all placed together might make for a nice showing.
Paul – I like the drive by concept as well, I might have to try that.
Mark,
I think you might be on to something different here. There is an ethereal quality to this image that is really appealing. I like the effect. I cast my vote for the effort to put together a portfolio of them…
Makes a great design. This one looks a lot like a reflection image – the lines are appealing.
Great technique I have seen a similar thing but shot at lights to create crazy light trails.
Love the website
Well, this is an interesting technique. And a very beautiful picture. I never tried it, but I will in the coming weeks. Thnx for sharing.
Mark, I love to do this too and it can be done anywhere. I like to go out into the backyard and do some ‘painting’. I’ve found that I like quite a few of them, actually.
I also like to do drive by shooting, especially when I’m on the parkway. I set my shutter speed to about 1/60 or perhaps 1/30, drive about 30 mph, point the camera out of the open window (strap around my neck for sure!), and take pictures.
I get some really interesting ones. The trees closer to the camera are all blurred and translucent. The ones in the middle and back are somewhat sharp. It’s an interesting effect. I’ll have to post some sometimes. Maybe tomorrow.
Hey Mark, I like this one alot, and it does that great painted look. Well done.